Acute interstitial pneumonia

Disease Overview

Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a rare and serious condition that affects the lungs. The signs and symptoms generally develop and progress rapidly. In the early stages of the condition, affected people may experience upper respiratory and/or viral-like symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, and fever. This is followed by the rapid onset of respiratory failure and the need for mechanical ventilation in the majority of cases. The underlying cause of AIP is unknown. Most cases occur sporadically in people with no family history of the condition. There is, unfortunately, no proven treatment for AIP. Supportive care is generally recommended to address the signs and symptoms of the condition. Glucocorticoid therapy and other immunosuppressive therapies are often used; however, the benefits of these treatments remain unclear.[133607][13608]

Synonyms

• Acute interstitial pneumonitis
• Hamman-Rich syndrome